Tuesday, February 25, 2014

A modern day thrill ride, where a teen girl and her animal companion must participate in a breathtaking race to save her brother's life—and her own.

Tella Holloway is losing it. Her brother is sick, and when a dozen doctors can't determine what's wrong, her parents decide to move to Montana for the fresh air. She's lost her friends, her parents are driving her crazy, her brother is dying—and she's helpless to change anything.
Until she receives mysterious instructions on how to become a Contender in the Brimstone Bleed. It's an epic race across jungle, desert, ocean, and mountain that could win her the prize she desperately desires: the Cure for her brother's illness. But all the Contenders are after the Cure for people they love, and there's no guarantee that Tella (or any of them) will survive the race.
The jungle is terrifying, the clock is ticking, and Tella knows she can't trust the allies she makes. And one big question emerges: Why have so many fallen sick in the first place?

Final Exclusive Sneak Peek...

“If you are hearing this message,
then you have successfully completed the Pandora Selection Process. It also
means you are now at the official starting line.”

Around me,
Contenders whoop with excitement. Seriously? They’re about to plunge into a
wild jungle, and that brings them happiness? Once again, I realize how out of
my league I am. I don’t even have a change of clothes, for crying out loud.

“As you may have realized, you are on
the outskirts of a rain forest. This will be the jungle part of the course. You
will have two weeks to arrive at the jungle’s base camp. You will find this
base camp by following the path of blue flags.”

Contestants
glance around, immediately looking for the first blue flag. As for me, I’m
watching the taillights of the semi and having a massive coronary.

“If you are the first to encounter a
blue flag, you may remove it, but you may not remove the stake it is attached
to. Doing so will result in immediate disqualification.”

I wonder why
anyone would want to remove the flag to begin with. No one else seems concerned
by this.

“While the Cure will be awarded to a single
winner at the end of the last ecosystem, we will bestow a smaller prize for
each leg of the race. The prize for the jungle portion will be monetary.” The
woman pauses dramatically. “I’d like to
officially welcome you to the Brimstone Bleed. May the bravest Contender win.”

That’s it?
That’s all she’s going to say? Because it seriously sounds like she’s wrapping
up. So why aren’t I running after the trucks? Why am I not chasing after my
only way out of this jungle like my life depends on it? I know the answer —
though I wish I didn’t. Cody would do this for me. I am his only hope. I have
to believe his cure exists. My only other option is to return home and watch my
brother die. If I could even get back home.

I glance
around frantically, looking for someone to tell me what to do. The Contenders
have formed a long line, the kind you see at the start of a marathon. A few
yards down from where I stand — I see him. My throat tightens when I realize
his cold blue eyes are locked on me. It’s the guy from the Pandora Selection
Process. The serial killer–looking dude who I thought was going to kidney punch
me. He glares in my direction like he might take this opportunity to finish
what he never started. I raise my hand in a small wave, hoping it says
something like: See? Look how friendly I
am!

He lifts his
own enormous hand. For a moment, I brighten. I think maybe that — even though
it looks like he hates every fiber of my being — he’s going to wave back. But
he doesn’t. He holds up two fingers — his pointer and his middle — places them
under his eyes, and then points in front of us.

Oh no, he
didn’t. I think he basically just told me to pay attention. I’m still
processing this when the woman’s voice rings in my ear.

“Go!”

My Thoughts...Once again, I am amazed by the unique story Victoria Scott has crafted. Fire & Flood is a hit!
She broke through a heavily weighed down genre and slipped in a unique and refreshing action-packed story that will be a hit with tweens and teens!Tella's family moved from the city to nowhere Montana. Her brother Cody is deathly ill and there hasn't been hope of a cure. Tella discovered a small device. Once she placed it and pressed the little red button, an announcement came on. It was an invitation to the Brimstone Bleed. Her father immediately took it away from her and in an attempt to destroy it, he threw it into a fire. She recovers the device and listened to the announcement. She was selected for the Brimstone Bleed. All contenders were to report within forty-eight hours. The Pandora Selection Process is where the contenders select their Pandora and it's their only source of assistance throughout the race. The race lasts three months and takes place across four ecosystems: desert, sea, mountains, jungle. The winning prize will be the Cure; a remedy for any illness, for any single person. Tella sneaks away for an adventure of her life with one goal in mind: win the race, and save her brother, Cody.
The love Tella had for her brother was touching. Of course they bickered back and forth, but you could really tell she cared so much for him. She had no clue really as to what she would be faced with entering the competition. She's a strong protagonist and one easily relatable to.
Unlike many of the other contenders, Tella named her Pandora Madox (which is a fox). I knew right away that he was special and unlike the others. I loved the way these Pandoras were crafted into the story and became such a HUGE part of the race. They aren't a normal animal. They were genetically engineered with special capabilities to assist their Contenders.

This race was brutal to say the least. You never knew who was good or bad. It was like survival of the fittest out there. But, along the way, Tella made some friends, which she knew in the long run only one would win.
Enter the mysterious Guy. I have to say, I was very intrigued by this character. For some reason, he has been somewhat of a Guardian Angel to Tella. And I think there are developing feelings there between the two. Honestly, I can't wait to find out what happens in the next book between those two.

Each of the Pandora's were so unique and had a personality of their own. I was amazed by Madox, though. The chemistry between Tella and Madox was realistic and sweet. She cared for her Pandora unlike some of the other Condenders who treated theirs more as an object than a living, feeling creature.
I wasn't sure what to expect when I started Fire & Flood. And don't let prejudices and opinions that say this is another 'Hunger Games' sway your vote not to read this. It isn't. Yes, there is a similarity when it comes to it being a survival game, but this is a totally different world, different circumstances and in my opinion, it's not even close.

I knew it would be good (No doubt there), but as far as how the competition would go, and the blend of Pandora's, it was fascinating to say the least. Lots of action, emotion, and chemistry between the character and their Pandora's. I'm really excited for this series. I know there is so much more to come and I look forward to it.

I'd like the Thank Scholastic Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. In no way has this changed my opinion or rating.

4.5 Snowflakes

Now for the giveaway!! I am giving away a copy of Fire & Flood to one lucky follower! This giveaway is open to anywhere The Book Depository ships to!

Victoria is super sweet, and this book sounds amazing and has been on my to read list for awhile!!! This is one of my top 10 I have to read books of 2014!!! Thank you for the awesome giveaway, fingers crossed!!!

I was lucky enough to read this a few weeks ago & I thought it was incredible. I already would like to read it again. Everyone is going to love the Pandoras. I can't wait for the sequel. Victoria is one of my favorite authors. Thank you for the giveaway.

I love the premise for this! It sounds so unique and differently from any dystopian I've heard of. I love books that are built on suspense and with the book being during a race, it sounds right up my alley!

The synopsis to Fire and Flood sounds amazing! I've heard it's reminded people of Digimon and The Hunger Games. And I absolutely used to love Digimon when I was younger! And I don't know a single person who doesn't like The Hunger Games. I hope I get to read this soon!